maison margiela — Home — What’s Cool?

I can see this series becoming one of my favorites to write on this blog. Reflecting on some of my favorite pairs of sneakers while writing the first post of this series was very rewarding and humbling in that I was able to really appreciate and think about why I love every pair in my collection, and it is also fun being able to share some of my sneaker knowledge to anyone who reads these posts. Today’s pairs are slightly unconventional, which is the one thing that they have in common. Otherwise, these are very different shoes, all with different connections and stories which allow them to have entered my collection. Let’s take a look.

Pair 1 (Upper Left): Maison Margiela GAT Replica in White / Splatter

Besides being just an interesting shoe to look at in general, the history and inspiration of this paint-splattered pair is what really drew me to adding these to my collection. The Chicago Art Institute features one of my favorite paintings from one of my favorite artists of all time, Jackson Pollock’s Greyed Rainbow. I saw this piece for the first time while on a family Christmastime trip to Chicago in Winter 2017. On that same trip, I was able to purchase the very last pair of Maison Margiela GAT Replicas which take inspiration from Pollock’s painting style and which also just happened to be in my size. It seemed like a sign from the universe that this pair was for me, and even though I still get the occasional “What did you spill on your shoes?”, the regular wear that I get and love that I have for this sneaker makes it entirely worth it. If you know, you know.

Pair 2 (Upper Right): Air Jordan 1 Retro “Royal”

If you’re new to the sneaker world but read my first post from this series, then the blue variant of these Jordan 1s should look very familiar. That’s right, these are a royal blue version of the black and red Jordan 1s I wrote about earlier. Nothing is different except for the color - there is the same tumbled leather swoosh, same proportions on the tongue and midsole, and no production differences from this 2018 pair to their 2017 “Bred” counterpart. This pair was purchased in New York City during Spring Break of my Senior year of high school. While the royal blue here is louder and more vibrant than a lot of my other sneakers, these still get regular wear. Even though Michael Jordan never wore these on the court, his admiration of this colorway made it one of the most exclusive and beloved Jordan 1s of all time. If you want more history on these, Complex wrote a great article about them which you can check out here.

Pair 3 (Bottom Left): Bottega Veneta Voortrekking Boot in Ardoise

I’d best describe my wardrobe and style as a blurring of the line between streetwear and menswear. This pair of Chelsea boots by Bottega Veneta does just that. This specific pair, in the ardoise (slate) colorway, was popularized and ingratiated into the world of streetwear by Kanye West some years ago. The integrating of classier footwear into traditional streetwear is something I am a big fan of, so rocking these with an overcoat or distressed jeans works either way. The distinct and recognizable middle stitch and comfortable crepe sole are what really sell me on these.

Pair 4 (Bottom Right): Adidas X Kith Ultra Boost Mid “Aspen”

Streetwear brand Kith founder Ronnie Fieg has proven time and again that he knows very well how to do a collaboration. His take on the Adidas Ultra Boost as a part of the Aspen collection seen here reinvented and toyed with the silhouette as a whole, making this the first pair of mid-top Adidas Ultra Boosts on the market. Intricate knitting throughout the primeknit upper, a harshly contrasting white midsole, and a tight ankle give these Ultra Boosts a very unique look that, like lots of my favorite shoes, can either be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. One of my favorite pairs in the summertime, these Ultra Boosts are also one of the most comfortable pairs in my entire collection.

Again, this series is one that I am really excited to eventually complete. Reminiscing on trips and memories has made me even more appreciative of the footwear collection that I have built, but it has also made me start to pine for another vacation. That being said, stay tuned for a review post of a pair I just ordered today. Shall be fun.